The school cafeteria is filled with poor diet choices. From fast food offerings to soda machine temptations, today's kids are faced with a lot of unhealthy options at lunchtime. So what can parents do? They can pack a better lunch! But many parents could use some help - the typical child's lunchbox is often filled with fat, sugar and salt, and lacking healthy fruit, protein and whole grains.

Healthy lunchboxes are an easy way to reinforce good eating habits in childhood. Instilling good eating habits early is more important than ever as child obesity rates have soared in recent years!

According to Leanne, lowering your child's intake of fat, especially saturated fat, is an important part of making over the lunchbox. The other key to a well-packed lunchbox is balance. Having a decent protein to carbohydrate ratio in your child's lunchbox will help them finish the day with energy to spare. Below are Leanne's top 5 tips for packing a better lunchbox.

1. Wipe Out White Bread
Breads made with whole grains are better sources of fiber and keep your kids feeling full longer. They also have important nutrients, such as selenium, potassium and magnesium. The good news is that it's easy to find whole grain options at grocery stores for everything from bread to crackers to tortillas.

2. Be Choosier with Cheese
Cheese is the #1 source of saturated fat in our diets! Try swapping out high fat cheese with a cheese alternative. Soy-based Veggie Slices taste like real cheese so kids won't know the difference in their favorite sandwich (Click here or see yellow banner above for recipe). Look for Veggie cheese alternatives in the produce section.

3. Don't Skimp on Fruit
Swap fruit for sugary snacks that cause kids' energy lives to nosedive mid-afternoon. Bananas are great for lunchboxes. They are convenient, a great source of potassium and come in their own carrying case. Pack it on the very top and wrap in a napkin for protection. Sliced apples, peeled oranges and grapes make great lunchbox additions too.

4. Skip the Chips!
Most kids feel their lunchbox isn't quite packed unless there are chips aboard. Parents know most store-bought chips are not the healthiest food around. Baked tortilla chips are a good option or even better are baked pita chips, which are easy to make at home (Click here or see recipe in the lunchbox packables icon above).

5. Be Choosy About Beverages
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, drinking too much juice (yes, even 100% fruit juice) can contribute to everything from cavities to childhood obesity, not to mention the discomfort of gas and bloating! Get your child into the good habit of drinking water. Try freezing a bottle of water instead of the usual juice box and flavored drinks - and skip soda altogether. The bottle will keep the lunchbox cold and will be thawed by lunchtime!

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